Recall issued for baby lounger linked to 8 deaths in the U.S.

Infant product being recalled after deaths A popular lounger sold under three different names is being recalled after eight infant deaths in the United States.

VANCOUVER — Health Canada has issued an important safety recall involving a popular baby lounger that's been linked to eight infant deaths in the U.S.

The recall follows earlier warnings and investigations by Consumer Reports into the safety risks involving loungers and nursing pillows.

The products recalled are made by Colorado-based Boppy Company, and include the Boppy Original Newborn Loungers, Boppy Preferred Newborn Loungers and Pottery Barn Kids Boppy Newborn Loungers. Health Canada said the loungers pose a suffocation hazard.

Last year, Consumer Reports warned the public about these types of products, reporting on at least 28 deaths from 2012 to 2018 tied to nursing pillows and baby loungers.

“When babies are left unattended or sleeping on these products, they may roll over or their heads may fall in a way that can block their airway and lead to suffocation,” said Rachel Rabkin Peachman, Consumer Reports investigative reporter.

In the recall announcement, Boppy said it is "committed to doing everything possible to safeguard babies” and that the lounger "was not marketed as an infant sleep product and includes warnings against unsupervised use.”

The company reports 34,941 of the units were sold in Canada from January 2016 to September 2021 – 3.3 million were sold in the U.S.

Health Canada followed the U.S. lead on this and worked with the Consumer Product Safety Commission in issuing the joint recall.

Consumer Reports believes something should have been done sooner.

"To keep something like this from happening in the future, parents need Congress to strengthen the CPSC’s ability to warn the public about hazardous products and take quick, forceful action when people are at risk,” explained Oriene Shin, safety advocate for Consumer Reports.

              What should you do?

Boppy is offering full refunds as part of the recall. If you have one of the recalled products, you can call The Boppy Company toll-free at 800-416-1355 or go to their website and click “Recall & Safety Alert” for more information.

It's important for parents to remember only to allow infants to sleep in regulated, approved products for infant sleep that meet safety standards, such as cribs and bassinets. Click here for safe sleep practices for infants.

With files from Consumer Reports